Mecca Crane Collapse: Nine More Indians Confirmed Dead

PTI

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA - SEPTEMBER 12: A huge construction crane buffeted by strong winds collapsed and crashed through the roof of the Grand Mosque which surrounds the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site on September 12, 2015. At least 87 people have died in Friday's horrific crane accident inside the Sacred Mosque and more than 180 people injured. (Photo by Ozkan Bilgin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

JEDDAH-- Nine more Indians were today confirmed dead in Friday's Grand Mosque crane collapse in Mecca in addition to two reported dead earlier.

The incident, which occurred ahead of the annual Haj pilgrimage, has claimed 115 lives so far.

"Working with relatives of missing persons, and Private Tour Operators our officials have unfortunately confirmed that an additional 9 Indian pilgrims have died in the tragic accident," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in New Delhi.

"While our officials on the ground in Mecca continue to provide assistance to the injured Indians, Saudi authorities permitted the opening of the mortuary for identification of deceased pilgrims on Sunday, the 13th evening," he said.

The mission is extending all necessary help to the families in order to complete formalities in Mecca, he added.

Yesterday, two Indian women pilgrims who died were identified as Moniza Ahmed from West Bengal and Muameena Ismail from Kerala.

With more Indians confirmed dead in Mecca, the new toll following the crash of a huge red crane into a part of the Grand Mosque filled with worshippers on Friday has gone up to 115, less than two weeks before the annual pilgrimage.

Among the injured are three each from Maharashtra, Telangana, UP and MP, two each from Delhi and West Bengal, and one each from Punjab, Bihar and Assam.

Thousands of pilgrims, including hundreds of Indians, have already arrived in Mecca for Haj. Saudi authorities have ordered a probe into the incident.